On a side note....step-dad just called. His microwave died, so I have to get him a new one tomorrow. And cat litter. And, could I trim the cat's nails too when I come over? Yes....yes, I can. That's what kids are for.On another side note......I put on my new glasses for a few minutes after I got home, and I can actually READ THE PAPER!!!!! I am so excited! I will put them on in the morning when I get up so my eyes will be rested. YAY!!

John Buck 41:Salem Witch: I have the day off, I got to sleep in until 7 this morning. 7! But I have laundry, shopping, vacuuming, dusting etc. that is long overdue.

We have been helping our friends with their place. We realized last weekend what was wrong with the front steps. Whoever built the thing got the tread and riser dimensions correct but then installed it wrong.

sno man:John Buck 41: Salem Witch: I have the day off, I got to sleep in until 7 this morning. 7! But I have laundry, shopping, vacuuming, dusting etc. that is long overdue.

We have been helping our friends with their place. We realized last weekend what was wrong with the front steps. Whoever built the thing got the tread and riser dimensions correct but then installed it wrong.

Upside down?

Looked like it to me, rise where the tread should be and vise versa, the treads should be 2 x 2"x6" and they like like 2 x 2"x4" to me from that pic. Too short treads and too tall a rise... upside down stringers. And note sure of local code, but around here, handrails on both sides too... safety first and all that!

sno man:John Buck 41: Salem Witch: I have the day off, I got to sleep in until 7 this morning. 7! But I have laundry, shopping, vacuuming, dusting etc. that is long overdue.

We have been helping our friends with their place. We realized last weekend what was wrong with the front steps. Whoever built the thing got the tread and riser dimensions correct but then installed it wrong.

Upside down?

Looked like it to me, rise where the tread should be and vise versa, the treads should be 2 x 2"x6" and they like like 2 x 2"x4" to me from that pic. Too short treads and too tall a rise... upside down stringers. And note sure of local code, but around here, handrails on both sides too... safety first and all that!

Correct, but given the electrical in that place, I don't think the previous owners were overly burdened with thoughts of safety.

Real Women Drink Akvavit:sno man: Wow, cool, you actually did it, I'm not really surprised, in spite of sounding like it. I know I've become less inclined to adventure as I get older and really need to break out of that myself...

When I get it in my head to do something, I DO it, whether I probably should or not. Things don't always go so well, but at least I tried! I've been like that my whole life. I've got some great stories about my own stupidity to tell, a couple scars, know ALLLLLL the cool "hidden" places around here and made a few unlikely friends over the years. So the "pros" outweigh the "cons" in the long run. When I break out of my shell and get brave, I really am BRAVE. Or incredibly stupid and just lucky. Whatevs. Too bad you're not anywhere near me, or we could adventure together!

[media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com image 600x400]

hehehe

To give you a bit of an idea where I have been, adventure wise, my (now) wife and I, our second actual date was a weekend trip to Chicago (!)

My wife is having minor dental surgery on Friday and I need to be with her. She'll be sedated and won't be able to drive. I decided to tack on a day and make it a long weekend.

On Tuesday it's my turn. I'm going to the oral surgeon to see if there's any sign of the tumor in my jaw coming back. If not I start prepping (and saving) for implants. I'm pretty confident it's gone. He performed a bone resection last year for round #2 with this thing, and out of all the treatments for KCOT's resection has a near 0% recurrence.

I love all you guize so much! I know some of you probably think I'm an attention whore, but really it calms me so much to just sit here, and post pictures. I've had problems with my blood pressure and irregular heart beat in the recent past, which some of you know about. I've pretty much gotten all that under control now, and I think Caturday has helped me a lot! It's relaxing for me to look for pics that I like, and post them on here for your pleasure. Now I'm wondering if I can pay for the FARK membership on my health insurance? I might look into that......it's been well worth it!! :D

Salem Witch:John Buck 41: Salem Witch: I have the day off, I got to sleep in until 7 this morning. 7! But I have laundry, shopping, vacuuming, dusting etc. that is long overdue.

We have been helping our friends with their place. We realized last weekend what was wrong with the front steps. Whoever built the thing got the tread and riser dimensions correct but then installed it wrong.

Upside down?

Yup. Risers on top and tread on the side.

[imageshack.us image 500x374]

While looking for a carpenter cat pic, I found the Harry Potter Cat House.

maynerdkitty:sno man: John Buck 41: Salem Witch: I have the day off, I got to sleep in until 7 this morning. 7! But I have laundry, shopping, vacuuming, dusting etc. that is long overdue.

We have been helping our friends with their place. We realized last weekend what was wrong with the front steps. Whoever built the thing got the tread and riser dimensions correct but then installed it wrong.

Upside down?

Looked like it to me, rise where the tread should be and vise versa, the treads should be 2 x 2"x6" and they like like 2 x 2"x4" to me from that pic. Too short treads and too tall a rise... upside down stringers. And note sure of local code, but around here, handrails on both sides too... safety first and all that!

But if they turned them over wouldn't that make a ramp?

LOL!ummm, yea I guess it would....Let me get all technical for a minute. Keeping the zig-zaggy side up, the end at the ground needs to be at the deck, and vise-versa...

The cutouts for the steps should have a longer horizontal measurement for 2x6 treads.. I don't install the vertical pieces on those kind of steps.. things can hide behind them.. also snow removal is easier that way... and congrats on getting kilokitty.....

My wife is having minor dental surgery on Friday and I need to be with her. She'll be sedated and won't be able to drive. I decided to tack on a day and make it a long weekend.

On Tuesday it's my turn. I'm going to the oral surgeon to see if there's any sign of the tumor in my jaw coming back. If not I start prepping (and saving) for implants. I'm pretty confident it's gone. He performed a bone resection last year for round #2 with this thing, and out of all the treatments for KCOT's resection has a near 0% recurrence.

That's really good on you for being there for her! But, that's what a companion and spouse is supposed to do, right? And here's hoping that all of YOUR stuff is clean, and ready to go! (Sounds like some good "cuddle times" coming up!) :D

My wife is having minor dental surgery on Friday and I need to be with her. She'll be sedated and won't be able to drive. I decided to tack on a day and make it a long weekend.

On Tuesday it's my turn. I'm going to the oral surgeon to see if there's any sign of the tumor in my jaw coming back. If not I start prepping (and saving) for implants. I'm pretty confident it's gone. He performed a bone resection last year for round #2 with this thing, and out of all the treatments for KCOT's resection has a near 0% recurrence.

My wife is having minor dental surgery on Friday and I need to be with her. She'll be sedated and won't be able to drive. I decided to tack on a day and make it a long weekend.

On Tuesday it's my turn. I'm going to the oral surgeon to see if there's any sign of the tumor in my jaw coming back. If not I start prepping (and saving) for implants. I'm pretty confident it's gone. He performed a bone resection last year for round #2 with this thing, and out of all the treatments for KCOT's resection has a near 0% recurrence.

I haven't yet figured out why Mondays hit me so hard. Yes, I know that 'nobody' likes Mondays, such that it's an old and common joke, but I seem to take it to some bizarre extreme. I *literally* sit here at the computer Monday PM and tell myself "Just hang on for a few more hours, and it'll be over." And, sure enough, Tuesday comes the next morning, and things do seem better, improving through the week. And then happens again a week later.

Not terribly logical, really. Downright weird.

Thanks to all of you who post pics AND news from the home front! Really, it sometimes seems like "letters from home"!

Oh, and to all of those who have sad stories to share: Don't think that the only ones who are reading and hurting with you are the ones who reply online and say something. Many more of us are out here reading and hurting for you; we are just too shy to pop in and say something, or can't think of anything comforting (or meaningful!) to say, Yeah, we've been there. Yeah, it hurts like Hell on Earth. Oh, yes, we know. We know.

I haven't yet figured out why Mondays hit me so hard. Yes, I know that 'nobody' likes Mondays, such that it's an old and common joke, but I seem to take it to some bizarre extreme. I *literally* sit here at the computer Monday PM and tell myself "Just hang on for a few more hours, and it'll be over." And, sure enough, Tuesday comes the next morning, and things do seem better, improving through the week. And then happens again a week later.

Not terribly logical, really. Downright weird.

Thanks to all of you who post pics AND news from the home front! Really, it sometimes seems like "letters from home"!

Oh, and to all of those who have sad stories to share: Don't think that the only ones who are reading and hurting with you are the ones who reply online and say something. Many more of us are out here reading and hurting for you; we are just too shy to pop in and say something, or can't think of anything comforting (or meaningful!) to say, Yeah, we've been there. Yeah, it hurts like Hell on Earth. Oh, yes, we know. We know.

Salem Witch:lilyspad: Salem Witch: Correct, but given the electrical in that place, I don't think the previous owners were overly burdened with thoughts of safety.

Or over-burdened with education either!

We're a little scared to find out what the plumbing has in store for us.

*shudders*

Oh man...working where I do, I have seen some of the weirdest shiat!! You just look at all this crap, and go "WTF were they thinking????" Good luck to you all!! Although, I have to say....I would MUCH rather do plumbing than electrical!

Salem Witch:We have been helping our friends with their place. We realized last weekend what was wrong with the front steps. Whoever built the thing got the tread and riser dimensions correct but then installed it wrong.

imageshack.us

Most of the electrical is done. Suzy was a big hep. The ceiling was a ridiculous rats nest of wire and junction boxes that went nowhere.

Ha! Reminds me of the work our previous owner used to perform. One of his greatest talents was that of butterknife electrician. Wire nuts were merely a suggestion, but he at least had the courtesy to toss 'em in the junction box. Once I saw that I chased down every splice in this house...I only found one more bad splice and ended up getting rid of load's of dead wiring.

The last thing I need to tackle is the hot water in my bathroom. The water heater is 30' away, yet I'm fairly certain the plumbing runs to West Virginia and back before it hits my sink.

lilyspad:Salem Witch: lilyspad: Salem Witch: Correct, but given the electrical in that place, I don't think the previous owners were overly burdened with thoughts of safety.

Or over-burdened with education either!

We're a little scared to find out what the plumbing has in store for us.

*shudders*

Oh man...working where I do, I have seen some of the weirdest shiat!! You just look at all this crap, and go "WTF were they thinking????" Good luck to you all!! Although, I have to say....I would MUCH rather do plumbing than electrical!

Having done both, I gotta say that if you are doing both right, electrical smells better...

sno man:lilyspad: Salem Witch: lilyspad: Salem Witch: Correct, but given the electrical in that place, I don't think the previous owners were overly burdened with thoughts of safety.

Or over-burdened with education either!

We're a little scared to find out what the plumbing has in store for us.

*shudders*

Oh man...working where I do, I have seen some of the weirdest shiat!! You just look at all this crap, and go "WTF were they thinking????" Good luck to you all!! Although, I have to say....I would MUCH rather do plumbing than electrical!

Having done both, I gotta say that if you are doing both right, electrical smells better...

lilyspad:On a side note....step-dad just called. His microwave died, so I have to get him a new one tomorrow. And cat litter. And, could I trim the cat's nails too when I come over? Yes....yes, I can. That's what kids are for.On another side note......I put on my new glasses for a few minutes after I got home, and I can actually READ THE PAPER!!!!! I am so excited! I will put them on in the morning when I get up so my eyes will be rested. YAY!!

That's so awesome! My sister just got an eye exam last week, is still waiting on her glasses. My eyes have always been kinda bad, so I've always worn glasses or contacts. When I run out of contacts and can't find my glasses - that's some hardcore helpless right there. lol! I totally know about the "OMGs!!! I CAN SEEEEEEEEEEE!" feeling. Congrats, man! Also, you are not an AW at all and you need no excuse to post lots o' pics, so shut up. ;-)

My wife is having minor dental surgery on Friday and I need to be with her. She'll be sedated and won't be able to drive. I decided to tack on a day and make it a long weekend.

On Tuesday it's my turn. I'm going to the oral surgeon to see if there's any sign of the tumor in my jaw coming back. If not I start prepping (and saving) for implants. I'm pretty confident it's gone. He performed a bone resection last year for round #2 with this thing, and out of all the treatments for KCOT's resection has a near 0% recurrence.

I will send out positive thoughts for both of you! Totally hoping for 0% recurrence, too.

lilyspad:quantum_jellyroll: akimbotoo:Aww! What a cutie-pie! I keep seeing similar conures at our local pet stores and have to stay strong. They are so adorable!

Until one of those bastards bites down on your finger and won't release it!

Jeez!! Where have YOU been???? j/k. Good to see you, Sir!

It's been a very trying week here at Casa Del QJ's Madre...

She's been on thyroid medication since about 1965.Her doctor won't renew her prescriptions unless he sees her at least once a year.This year, she decided "screw that" and has refused to go see him to get the script renewed.She figures it's just a ploy to get money.I've explained to her that no doctor will renew a prescription if they haven't seen you in over a year.She still says "screw that".

She's gone without her thyroid medication for over three months now.She's too old to spank, and to big to pick up and carry in to the doctor.Now she has less energy than a drunken sloth and her appetite has crashed.This is throwing her coumadin levels all out of whack and she's running dangerously low.They're low enough that the anti-coagulation clinic made sure to make sure I knew signs of stroke.

I have no backup. I have no assistance from siblings. I'm twisting in the wind.The last 4 or 5 evenings, she's gone to bed before 8pm.Hell, she lives for the evening news. She watches it faithfully on two different stationsuntil at least 11:30pm, and here she is going to sleep 3 hours early.

I've explained to her that when she ends up in the hospital, it will cost more than the trip to herregular doctor, but they will undoubtedly renew her thyroid prescription (assuming she doesn't stroke out in the interim).

After writing this, I need to go kick something, but instead I'm going to go out front and pet the kitty.

Marlowe is a stray that came to live with my parents about 8 months ago now. He was found behind a vending machine in their local park, and no owner ever came to claim him, so they've been taking care of him ever since. He seems to like it.